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MedSolutions Launches Outcomes-Focused Cardiac Imaging™: NASHVILLE, Tenn. - June 20, 2007 - MedSolutions, a trusted partner for radiology management services for the nation's leading health plans, introduces its cardiac imaging management product at AHIP Institute 2007, Las Vegas, Nevada. Outcomes-Focused Cardiac Imaging brings new perspectives to managing diagnostic cardiac imaging, promoting the delivery of appropriate tests through qualified providers and reducing costs. Visit MedSolutions at AHIP 2007 Booth #837. "Cardiovascular imaging now represents about one third of all noninvasive diagnostic imaging, and is growing more rapidly than other types of imaging," says Gregg P. Allen, m “Cardiovascular imaging now represents about one third of all noninvasive diagnostic imaging, and is growing more rapidly than other types of imaging,” says Gregg P. Allen, M.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer of MedSolutions. “Multiple factors are driving this expenditure, creating a perfect storm in the utilization and overall costs of these studies.” In this environment, MedSolutions’ new product makes sense for health plans and patients, ensuring that members receive the quality testing that they need while achieving substantial cost savings for payers. MedSolutions currently provides radiology management programs to review the appropriateness of imaging studies and avoid redundancy through utilization management. Further substantiating the need for cardiac imaging management, Dr. Allen points to communications in 2006 from Steven E. Nissen, MD, FACC, former president and James D. Thomas, MD, FACC, of the American College of Cardiology. Commenting on the rapid emergence of multi-modality cardiovascular imaging, they wrote: “A … major challenge is applying this testing in the most cost-effective manner. As a society, we simply cannot afford to perform all available tests in all patients. We must carefully balance the diagnostic yield with the cost and potential safety concerns (radiation and contrast).” [i] “When it comes to managing health plan spending for medical imaging, MedSolutions is clearly at the forefront of defining access vs. excess,” says Dr. Allen. The timing of this product introduction also coincides with National Coverage Analysis (NCA) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS; 6.13.07) regarding Computed Tomographic Angiography (CTA). CTA is a noninvasive method, using intravenous contrast, to visualize the coronary arteries (or other vessels) using high resolution, high speed computed tomography (CT). CTA, which includes helical (spiral) CT and multi-slice CT angiography, has two potential uses: as a substitute for invasive coronary angiography; for evaluation of chest pain in the emergency room. According to CMS, proponents have claimed that the use of cardiac CTA will lead to better health outcomes and a reduction in cardiac catheterization, the current standard for diagnosis of coronary artery disease. CMS is concerned that despite the lack of clinical evidence to demonstrate improved patient health outcomes with CTA, the procedure has been rapidly adopted by the clinical community. (http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/viewtrackingsheet.asp?id=206) The current NCA will evaluate the available evidence for CTA when used to diagnose coronary artery disease and determine if a national coverage determination (NCD) is warranted. CMS will also consider the potential of Coverage with Evidence Development as an appropriate NCD decision. About MedSolutions MedSolutions specializes in managing radiology services for national and regional health plans as well as federal and state government agencies, maintaining management contracts for nearly 25 million individuals nationwide. The company leverages sophisticated analytics, personalized call center operations and extensive radiology care management experience to provide the most innovative, cost-effective radiology management solutions in the industry. Visit www.medsolutions.com.
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[i]
President’s Page: The Rapid Emergence of Multi-Modality Cardiovascular
Imaging; Steven E. Nissen, MD, FACC, President* and James
D. Thomas, MD, FACC; J Am Coll Cardiol, 2006; 48:217-218,
doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2006.05.024
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